Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-06-01
IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION.

IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION.
The Citizens Committee last night laid
the foundations for an Improvement
Association for the City and County of
Sacramento" The purposes Of the organ
ization are indicated by the title we have
quoted. They include also the enforce
ment of sanitary regulations the securing
of efficiency of service on the part Of pub
lie officers the reduction of taxation; the
increase of population and wealth in the
county and the city; the introduction of
water for irrigation and for domestic and
manufacturing purposes; the subdivision
of large land tracts into small farms for
actual residents; street and road improve
ment; architectural improvement upon
business streets; city drainage; the en-
enlargement of manufacturing interests
the increasing of street Hallway facilities
further improvement of Capitol Park the
completion of driveway in East Park
the adjustment of city Indebtedness, and
the general fostering of business interests.
1t is provided that any reputable citizen
may become member on favorable re-
port by the Executive Committee and the
payment of a small fee The usual formula
as to officers and their duties follows, and
includes the creation of an Executive
Committee of twenty-five. This commit
tee, which will be the working body, is to
manage the business of the Association
and is to have full power, subject only to
direction by the Association.
The general plan of act ion is simple
and the method of working through the
Executive Committee decidedly the most
practical and direct. 1t is the only way
in which large body can successfully
carry on its work. 1t now remains for the
citizens of Sacramento and comfy to enter
the Association so soon as the roll is
opened for signatures.
There can be no good work of this char
acter done without organization there
must be a forum where the affairs of the
city can be debated yocally, and where
some propositions can be considered and
facts stated which if first given to the gen
eral public might do more harm than
good. Thus for instance, it is the very
hight of folly to disclose to those outsiders
who are opposed TO the city and disposed
to cripple and embarass it, plans that may
Toe considered for settlement of the munich
pal debt, until such plans have first
matured and been considered by the people
in a representative assembly. The cham
bers of such philosophical associations in
other cities always are chambers Of free
debate and advice, where many questions
Of public concern are frankly discussed
which cannot be projected at once into
publicity, without injury to the COM
munity and the impairment of its credit
and fame. Such ought to be the rule here.
Local errors that may be corrected within
doors should not be made means of ofense
to the city's interests, except they concern
the public at large.
The need for large membership is
therefore great. For the organization to
be successful must be thoroughly represent-
ative and an influence to knit the people
together for common public-spirited pur-
pose. If the new movement is to achieve
success the people must come out and unite
with the Association and testify to the
extent of So per capita, charge for mem
HI 20, fta,p faif 10
their readiness to create fund for ex-
penses, their desire that the Improvement
spirit shall be stimulated and that wise
methods shall be adopted to secure what
all the people enhancement of local
values and decreased burdens of taxation;
augmented trade and town adornment
subdivision of large land holdings and the
settlement of more people upon our outside
lands.
The Associations Executive Committee
cannot go on with Its work satisfactorily
with no principal behind it to which it
can appeal and with power to direct or cor
ct it. A thousand names should there
fore be enrolled within week upon the
Society's list Of membership. Such in
dorSement would in itself be heralded
abroad as proof that the people are
earnest in this movement, have faith in
Sacramento and mean to put this section
of the State in the forefront of progress.
1t VIII pay to unite with the Association.
for its purpose is expressed TO be the pro-
motion of reforms that win increase the
values OF property, lessen the taxation
upon every citizen and enlarge the indus
trial opportunities of all. Every man
owes something to the town in which he
lives besides merely living in it. He owes it
so much of his energy and good will and
purse, directed towards its progress. as will
contribute his full share to the common
fund of endeavor essential TO success.
The people Of Sacramento are now put